If you’re looking to freshen up your space, Michelle Workman is the woman to call. With a keen eye for color she expertly mixes modern and vintage to create spaces that reflect each client’s personality. We sat down with her to learn the top 5 home trends this year and how you can easily incorporate them into your home (while still staying true to your taste).
1. Go Big or Go....Easter?
Michelle Workman Interiors, michelleworkman.com
D Magazine, dmagazine.com
Color is coming back in a big way. The two prevailing trends are either “sexy and saturated” or “perfect pastels.” Darker colors include a green deeper than emerald, dark blue with a hint of green and fuschia. Pastel hues include hydrangea blue, periwinkle, mint, blush or pale pink and lilac. Color can be scary, but Workman encourages people to take the plunge. “If you really love a color you’re not going to get tired of it, even if it’s strong,” she says. “It’s really about decorating to your personality rather than your neighbors.”
How to Incorporate:
The easiest, least expensive route would be painting your walls for a fresh new look. You can also reupholster a major piece of furniture with color, such as a sofa for high impact. Choose a palette to work in (pastel or saturated) or choose a single color, such as blue and go for a high-low look.
2. “Deco” the Halls
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left: rejuvenation.com; right: 1stdibs.com
This year brings a strong resurgence of Art Deco, a design and architecture style between the First and Second World Wars. Inspired by ancient Egyptians and Aztecs, the movement was actually a celebration of industry and modernity, with chrome and stainless steel applications used for the first time. Art Deco is known for its streamlined style and geometric shapes, as well as finishes like velvet and black and white checkerboard.
How to Incorporate:
Workman suggests adding Art Deco flair with a coffee or side table. You could also choose a geometric mirror or velvet side chair. For more inspiration, see her “Art Deco” Pinterest board.
3. 50 Shades of Cream
Top and bottom: Michelle Workman Interiors, michelleworkman.com
Finally, gray is taking a backseat. The emerging neutral is cream, but the tone is anything but vanilla. Studies show cream to have a calming effect, and the shade du jour has a slightly pink undertone which makes every skin tone look great.
How to incorporate:
"I would never recommend cream on upholstery - particularly people with kids - because of stains,” says Workman. “Instead think walls or curtains if you want something in fabric. It provides a gentle, soft backdrop for any color you want to do on furnishings.”
4. Exotic Finishes
Shagreen Tray, Aerin, NeimanMarcus.com
Zebrawood coffee table, GalahadFurniture, Etsy.com
Shagreen (pronounced ‘chagrin’) – also known as sharkskin – is appearing on everything from side tables to consoles. Other exotics include parchment (originally goatskin), ostrich skin, tortoise shell and lesser known woods like zebrawood or burl.
How to incorporate:
“For maximum impact you could choose a desk wrapped in shagreen or parchment, or a coffee table in zebrawood,” suggests Workman. Smaller applications could include accent boxes, lamps or a tray for your coffee table.
5. Geometric
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society6.com
Everything from fabric to furniture is getting a geometric makeover, but the biggest area for this trend is in lighting. “Adding modern pieces to your home give it a significant freshening, particularly if you have a more traditional space,” says Workman. “And you can mix styles now – there’s an overall relaxing of the rules. It creates a collected or curated look that’s very European.”